3.40 Chester: Class 2 Handicap, 2m2½f

Usually this wouldn’t be my cup of tea from a betting perspective but I feel Too Friendly is potentially too well handicapped today, to not have a good at a decent price, given the ground continues to dry out and could suit him incredibly well.

The 6-year-old gelding remains quite lightly raced on the flat, and with that in mind may have still a few pounds in hand before the handicapper gets the measure right.

The #8 isn’t an ideal place and he’ll have to be perfect out of the gates to avoid getting trapped wide. He can move forward, though, and I hope De Sousa in the saddle can have him settle a few lengths off the pace, with cover, not too wide off the fence, eventually.

Purely from a handicapping perspective, I seriously rate his most recent run on the flat: in March at Kempton, over 2 miles, the first time seen without a hurdle in front of him in nearly two years.

Back in 2021 Too Friendly was a decent flat performer, competing in some hot races, before changing yards and becoming a hurdler.

A five-time winner over hurdles, back in October 2023 he was still a fine 2nd behind the subsequent Christmas Hurdle runner-up. His most recent run in a class 2 Handicap Hurdle was rather disappointing, though.

However, right before that he returned to the flat and was an impressive winner at Kempton. He looked way too good for his rivals that day and has only been upped 4lb to a still, potentially, lenient mark of 89.

Especially over staying trips he remains completely unexposed. And the fact he overcame an awkward start and early keenness at Kempton, suggests there’s more to come still.

It remains to be seen how the race pans out today, whether he can be in a decent position with three furlongs to go. If he can be, I think he’s got the gears to be thereabouts.

10pts win – Too Friendly @ 14/1